Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if UNCG study abroad students were being prepared for and participating in sustainable tourism practices. The literature review includes an examination of the current trends in study abroad and international education, and a brief history of sustainable tourism. Additionally, an overview of the theoretical base of the study is provided along with an assessment of the efficacy of code of ethics and visitor education programs. The researchers reviewed current pre-departure study abroad handbooks and programs designed to prepare students for their trip abroad and compared these tools to the current mission statements of higher education and international program centers.
This research is a catalyst for creating support for educational programming of sustainable tourism practices for study abroad students by identifying the lack of current studies in this research area and identifying the need for there to be more research. This study also emphasizes the need for the development of programming and establishes the theoretical foundation and framework for the development of educational programming tool that can be used to prepare study abroad students to participate in sustainable tourism practices.